Launched in 1995, he promised the future of virtual reality, but has become one of the greatest failures in the history of games
In July 1995, Nintendo risked everything with a bold idea: to bring virtual reality to domestic video games. So the Virtual guyA device that has distinguished itself for its eccentric design.
Unlike the traditional consoles that connected to TV or pocket laptops, the virtual boy was mounted on a tripod, requesting the player to lean on him to peek into a pair of glasses that simulated a virtual reality experience.
Thirty years later, the virtual boy is not remembered for the games revolution, but because he is one of the greatest stumbles in a company that usually gets it. However, its story is curious as important.
What was the virtual guy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzhow9mlp50
Developed by Gunpei Yokoi, the same creator of Game Boy, Virtual Boy was released in July 1995 in Japan and a month later in the United States. Unlike traditional consoles, it was positioned on a base of binocular exhibitions, in which the player touched his face. The idea was to offer an engaging experience in stereoscopic 3D, something unprecedented at that moment.
However, there was a big problem: the screen has only displayed the graphics in the shades of red and black, which caused visual fatigue, headache and, in some cases, nausea, after a short period of use. Nintendo herself warned to break every 15-30 minutes, which was not exactly an invitation to long game sessions.
With a simple vector graphics and a limited sound, the promised “virtual reality” fell to sprites floating on a black background. The control of the virtual boy was also peculiar. With two D-Pad, one on each side, it was designed for 3D games that would have used both navigation axes.
However, most of the games have not explored the full potential of this design, making it in some way useless for the limited console catalog.
An inevitable failure
The virtual boy hit the market at a relatively high price for time (about $ 179.95 in the United States) and confusing marketing that could not clearly communicate its purpose.
The games catalog was scarce, with only 22 titles released all over the world and most of them could not justify the purchase of the device. Classics like Mario Tennis and Wario Land have even tried to shine in the hardware, but the visual limits and physical discomfort have exceeded any fun attempt.
In less than a year, the virtual boy was interrupted, becoming the lowest life console in Nintendo. It is estimated that less than a million units have been sold globally. Many consider the virtual boy the greatest failure of Nintendo, a “error” in the company’s bright trajectory.
The legacy of the “strange”
Despite his sensational failure, the virtual boy was not a total disaster for Nintendo. It was an important learning of the challenges of virtual reality and the importance of user experience. The concept of stereoscopic 3D games was saved years later in Nintendo 3DS, much more effective.
Today, the virtual boy is a collector’s object, a piece of museum that represents the audacity and sometimes the eccentricity of Nintendo. It reminds us that even the giants in the sector can stumble in search of innovation and that not all ideas in advance on their time are ready for the market.
The 30th anniversary of Virtual Boy is a milestone not only of a console that has failed, but of a precious reminder on the risks and prizes of experimentation in the world of video games.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
